After successfully unlocking both [Demon's Back] and [Innate Super Strength], Jay's abilities had taken a qualitative leap forward.
However, he kept quiet about it, continuing his daily training as usual, only increasing the intensity.
He needed time to adapt to his body's new changes and control his surging strength.
Wouldn't want to shake someone's hand and accidentally send them to the hospital, after all.
Besides that, he replaced his usual "endurance training" sessions with yoga practice.
Even though he was a fast learner, he had only been at it for two or three days, so progress was slow.
Especially with the more advanced yoga poses, those weren't something you could just master overnight.
They required a high level of body control, flexibility, coordination, and balance.
Even with the enhancements from [Hanma Bloodline], it wasn't something he could easily master in a short time.
But, there are always exceptions!
Jay was betting everything on another ability that came with his [Inosuke Hashibira (Young)] purple card:
[Body Control] – Allows the user to freely contort their body into any position, dislocate joints at will, and even shift internal organs within a certain range.
If he could unlock this ability, learning yoga and even dance would become ridiculously easy!
This was basically using one card's skill to unlock another card's potential.
A massive time-saver.
But activating [Body Control] was no easy task.
Activation Condition: Jump off a 100-meter-high cliff.
For an, [Innate Super Strength], he finally had some confidence in his own durability.
If he could make proper preparations and take some safety measures...
Maybe, just maybe, it wasn't completely impossible.
At the very least, he didn't think he would die from it.
So, he started scouting for the perfect location.
~The cliff needed to be at least 100 meters high, preferably around 110 meters for a buffer.
~There had to be deep water below, not a stagnant pond, but flowing water to break his fall.
~No deadly obstacles, like rocks or reefs. Either they had to be cleared out, or he had to avoid them perfectly.
~Proper equipment, some tools to help cushion the impact.
Jay was confident in his durability, but he wasn't stupid.
He was nowhere near the level of Kaido, who could free-fall from 10,000 meters like it was nothing.
He knew his limits.
But before he could finish his preparations, Colonel Hammond suddenly summoned all officers.
Apparently, several noble families from different countries had received death threats from the Mafia.
Now, they were seeking the Marine's protection.
So, Colonel Hammond decided to send a team to guard them.
"I will not tolerate such a disgraceful crime in my jurisdiction!"
"For the sake of justice, step forward if you're willing to take this mission!"
The room fell completely silent.
No one moved.
What a joke.
"Justice?"
Only an idiot would believe that.
The five major Mafia factions were currently at war, and things were getting bloody.
Getting involved now?
Might as well dig their own graves.
The Mafia wouldn't care if they were Marines.
And let's be real, there was no way that the greedy Colonel Hammond was suddenly talking about "justice" for free.
Someone must have paid him a fortune to send troops.
Oh, so he takes the bribe, and we risk our necks?
Do we look stupid to you?!
So nobody moved.
Hammond's face stiffened.
Annoyed, he shot a glance at Jay.
Jay sighed.
Honestly, he didn't want to get involved either.
But ignoring it would mean wasting all his previous efforts to get on Hammond's good side.
If he didn't step up now, Hammond wouldn't forget it.
For the sake of his own future, Jay stepped forward and saluted.
"Sir! I volunteer for the mission!"
"For justice and the protection of civilians, I shall not hesitate!"
Hammond grinned.
"Good! Well said! This is what it means to be a true Marine! Anyone else?"
The rest of the officers glared at Jay, their eyes burning with resentment.
"You bastard."
He just screwed them all over.
If they didn't step up now, they'd look cowardly compared to him.
Fine.
Fine.
They'd remember this.
Jay had just made enemies out of the entire officer corps.
And as if that wasn't bad enough, Hammond decided to add fuel to the fire.
Clearing his throat, he casually mentioned:
"Oh, I almost forgot, the mission includes a daily bonus of 50,000 Beli per person."
"Plus, if you succeed, you'll earn a commendation!"
"That means priority for future promotions."
The room went dead silent.
Jay's eyes widened slightly.
Hammond was never this generous.
A 50,000 Beli daily allowance was already a huge sum.
But the real prize was the commendation, a fast track to promotion!
Damn. Good thing I volunteered.
I just scored big.
As for the others?
Well... they were already pissed at him, so might as well go all in.
Jay had big dreams, he wasn't going to worry about some nobodies' opinions.
"Colonel Hammond! I volunteer as well!"
"Me too!"
"I, uh, my leg cramped earlier, that's why I didn't move!"
The entire group suddenly rushed to sign up.
Seeing this, Hammond smirked.
"Oh? So you're all willing now? You're not afraid of danger anymore?"
"Of course not! For justice, we'll face any challenge!"
"Yes! Protecting civilians is the Marine's duty!"
"Please, let us go!"
"Jay is just a Corporal, he doesn't have the experience we do!"
"Exactly!"
Jay just smirked.
Now they wanted in?
Too bad.
He already had a head start.